The outfall into St Aubin's Bay

AN independent review of pollution testing has been announced after it was confirmed this week that sewage was being discharged into the sea.

The review is to be carried out by Comptroller and Auditor General Chris Swinson after a request from Environment Minister Freddie Cohen.

Newly-appointed Assistant Environment Minister Rob Duhamel said that the review would test the current arrangements to see if they were strong enough.

He said: ‘We are delighted that Mr Swinson has agreed to undertake this review. ‘As concerns about the environment move ever further up the agenda, it is essential to ensure that we have the right protection regime in place. ‘This review will help us do just that.’

It was revealed in the report released by Senator Cohen earlier this week that inadequately treated sewage was being released into St Aubin’s Bay from the Bellozanne sewage works by the Transport and Technical Services Department. And the report also confirmed fears that there had been discharges of raw sewage into the waters off the east coast.